The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1887-08-27
Correspondence Baltimore County Union.
LETTER FROM BALTIMORE.
Good Men In the Field-Humbug Reform
Pure Elections-An Early
Beginner, &c.

BALTIMORE, August 23d, 1887.
Messrs. Editors The Republicans are now
getting fairly in the field all Maryland for an
active and vigorous political contest at the coming
campaign with their Democratic adversaries.-
They have already nominated some of their very
best men. They seem determined to work with
vigor to elect them. This is as it should be. The
people want able, capable and honest men to rep
resent them, whether they be Republicans or Dem
ocrats. There is no doubt that such men can be
found among the Republicans as we'll as among
their opponents. No one ever entertains doubt
of this The interests of every person in the State
are deeply concerned in the acts of their legislators
at Annapolis without particular reference to mere
politics. The truth is their acts really rise above
politics, every one is more or less interested
therein. 1t matters not particularly who or of
what party he may be that he legislates well
and honestly. good act done by one is as just
and effective as by another He is wanted only
to do right and act for the benefit of the whole
people. This, believe, is the civil service idea
and undoubtedly true one if carried out to the
letter. 1t does not require what is called "boss"
to know this fact. The whole people want to have
some say in legislative acts which concern them
selves and pertain to affairs wholly outside of
political trickery, whether one political party or
another will be pleased or not. 1t is not so much
reforming the party within the party" 1t is to
give US reforms which are just and needed by all.
Give reforms which required by the whole
people, This thing of reform within the party
has become a password more than reality at any
rate There is really but little sincerity in it.
When people go to election, when there is ex-
citement and an effort to win as party, large
majority of the voters forget all about reform of
any kind. They simply wish to get their friends
elected, even if the purity of the ballot. box be
overlooked and the elective franchise be neglected.
The truth is we have commenced to look upon
this cry of "reform within the party" as pretty
much of humbug. If there be any true reform
it must come from the demand of the people with
out reference to party at all. 1t must be wrong
corrected by the action and will of the people of
all sides. 1t must be such reform as has been
demonstrated by the Criminal Court of Baltimore
in Furnishing judges Of election who are actually
guilty as is now being done in the Jail by confne
ment for their scopndralism. Let US have no more
such cases as these. They are shame and blot
upon our elections and our elective franchise
1 saw few evenings ago something rather sim
pular. There lives not distant from whore re-
side small boy only four years of age who was
smoking his ''long nine" with as much freedom as
an old smoker. was astonished to see one so
such ease asked his ahern VIE Was a WITH hm
at the time, how long he had been in the habit
He replied about nine months. He sometimes
smokes two and three cigars day and seems to
enjoy them wonderfully. Not only this, but he
drinks his lager regularly every day and OCCASION
ally something stronger. He takes it with gusto.
The father told me be lets him have what be wants
without Directing. He is in good health and
sprightly. At one time he was very delicate, but
since he took to lager and cigars he has enjoyed
remarkably good health. He is quite good boy
too. The father thinks it right to let him have
what his taste Graves. 1t was certainly funny to
see one so young putting a cigar like an old
smoker. He calls for his beer as if it was an old
thing The time may come when it will tell upon
him, but at present it is to him very enjoyable
His father keeps saloon in the northeastern part
of the city and was an employee about the court
house. His is very kind, good man and much
respected. 1t is very rare to see one SO young an
habitual smoker, NEsToR.